The final line of code executed.
A soft chime echoed through Arena Seven.
MISSION COMPLETE
System Integrity: 98%
Threat Neutralized
For a brief moment...
Silence filled the arena.
Then the judges began typing notes into their tablets while the large monitor displayed the preliminary results.
Professor Lewis folded his arms.
"They did well."
Professor Thompson nodded.
"Especially Benny."
"He noticed the insider exploit before almost every other team."
Around the arena, teams slowly leaned back from their computers.
Some students sighed in relief.
Others looked frustrated after failing to secure their systems.
Ethan stretched his stiff shoulders.
"...Good work, everyone."
Mia let out a long breath before collapsing against the back of her chair.
"I thought we were done for."
Ryan calmly closed the network monitor.
"The fake traffic was convincing."
His eyes briefly shifted toward Benny.
"If you hadn't noticed it..."
"...we would've lost."
Benny smiled awkwardly.
"It was a team effort."
Ryan didn't reply.
Instead, he gave a small nod before packing away his keyboard.
For Ryan...
That was praise.
An announcement echoed through the competition hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Round One has officially concluded."
"The judges will now verify each team's results."
"There will be a forty-five-minute break before Round Two."
"Participants are free to leave the arena but must return before the next round begins."
Almost immediately, the tense atmosphere disappeared.
Students stood, stretched, and began talking excitedly.
Some hurried toward the cafeteria.
Others discussed the challenge they had just completed.
Mia stood first.
"I'm starving."
"I haven't eaten since breakfast."
Ethan laughed.
"I figured you'd say that."
Ryan adjusted his glasses.
"We still have forty minutes."
"Let's eat."
Benny nodded.
"Sounds good."
The four of them left Arena Seven together.
Outside the competition hall, the campus was just as lively.
Food stalls had been set up for participants and visitors.
Students from different universities mingled, discussing strategies and comparing performances.
"This year's competition is much harder."
"I heard three teams were already disqualified."
"No way..."
"They couldn't recover their servers in time."
Benny listened quietly as they walked.
This competition was far more intense than anything he had imagined.
As they reached the food court, Mia immediately pointed toward a noodle stand.
"There!"
"I'm getting noodles."
Ryan looked toward another stall.
"I'll grab coffee."
Ethan smiled.
"Meet back here in ten minutes."
Everyone nodded before heading in different directions.
Benny chose a small sandwich shop nearby.
As he waited in line, his phone vibrated.
A message.
Xavier
Brother Benny! Have you eaten yet?
A smile appeared on Benny's face.
He quickly replied.
Not yet. I'm about to.
Only a few seconds later...
Another message arrived.
Don't forget! You always tell me breakfast is important, so lunch is important too!
Benny chuckled softly.
Yes, sir. I'll eat properly.
Another reply came almost instantly.
Good! I'll be waiting for you at home. Good luck!
Benny stared at the message for a moment.
The exhaustion from the competition seemed to fade.
For the first time in years...
Someone was waiting for him to come home.
Someone who worried whether he had eaten.
That simple thought filled his heart with warmth.
He slipped his phone back into his pocket, picked up his sandwich and drink, and walked toward the table where Ethan, Ryan, and Mia were already waiting.
The break had only just begun.
But everyone knew...
The hardest battles of the National Championship were still ahead.